| |
The
Magic Kingdom Park
|
|
|
The
Magic Kingdom Park is what springs to mind for most people
when you mention Disney. The park does get busy so get there
early and you'll see so much more. Stop by the home of the
world's most famous mouse in 'Mickey Toontown Fair' and
have a look at where the big cheese actually lives. Take
a thrill ride across the galaxy on' Space Mountain', explore
the ghostly happenings at the Haunted Mansion, or prepare
to get wet with Brer Rabbit and friends on 'Splash Mountain'.
Do try and catch one of the wonderful parades featuring
some of your favorite Disney characters, and don't come
home before you've seen the fireworks high above Cinderella
Castle. It's a long day but an absolute must! |
| |
|
| |
Disney's
Animal Kingdom
|
|
|
Disney's
Animal Kingdom Theme Park is an adventure involving the
very real, the imaginary and the extinct! Ride 'Kilimanjaro
Safaris' where the animals are almost close enough to
touch. Come face to face with a magnificent troop of gorillas,
or travel back in time on 'Dinosaur'. Expedition Everest
is Disney's Animal Kingdom's Newest attraction, it is
a big thrill, roller coaster-type ride for big kids, teens
and adults filled with high-altitude drops, hairpin turns
and a close encounter with the inhospitable inhabitant
of the Forbidden Mountainthe infamous Yeti. After
riding why not cool off on in Asia on the 'Kali River
Rapids' Animal Kingdom is a great combination of the magic
and fun of Disney and all that mother nature has to offer.
Make sure you get there early when the animals are at
their most active and don't miss the 'Lion King Stage
Show' and the highly amusing 'It's Tough To Be A Bug'.
|
| |
|
| |
Disney
Hollywood Studios
|
|
|
Take
a journey through 'tinsel town', courtesy of the Disney
Hollywood Studios. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror,
a thrill ride for big kids, teens and adults in Disney's
Hollywood Studios Theme Park, simulates a 13-story plunge
downand up, and maybe up againthe freight
elevator shaft inside the once glamorous Hollywood Terror
Hotel. Battle imperial star-fighters on Star Tours, then
it's on to the exciting Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular,
Jim Henson's Muppet 3D movie, and superb live shows like
the Lights, Camera, Action Car Stunt Show.. Try and make
time for the afternoon parade featuring characters from
the latest animated Disney blockbuster. The highlight
for many guests is 'Fantasmic!' as Mickey Mouse battles
the evil fantasy villains with a barrage of fireworks,
water and lasers and don't miss the Rock N Roller Coaster
Starring Aerosmith.
|
| |
|
| |
Epcot
|
|
|
The
Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow is a showcase
for cutting edge technology along with an eclectic mix
of international entertainment and cuisine. In Future
World you get an enthralling look at how our modern world
has developed along the very latest developments in science
and technology, and it's all done in a fun and often interactive
setting. Make sure you see 'Honey I Shrunk The Audience'-
Disney's 3D magic is not to be missed! World Showcase,
on the other hand, features the traditions and cultures
of people from around the world. Eat and drink your way
around the globe in a day and don't miss 'Illuminations:
Reflections of Earth' every night around the World Showcase
lagoon - it's truly a breathtaking event.
|
| |
|
| |
Downtown
Disney West Side
|
|
|
The
West Side features a huge Virgin Mega store for cheap
CD's, a 20 cinema complex to catch the latest films, live
music at the House of Blues, and numerous excellent eateries
like Wolfgang Puck Café and Bongos Cuban Care.
Disney Quest Indoor Interactive Theme Park is a video
game fanatics dream come true with 5 floors of high tech
entertainment! The amazing Cirque Du Soleil, a mix of
street theater and circus artistry, is hard to describe
and it's not the cheapest ticket in town - even though
it's worth every penny.
|
| |
|
| |
Disney
Water Parks
|
|
|
Disney
water parks are great fun and suitable for all ages. Make
sure you have some good sun block and keep reapplying it
throughout the day. In the blazing heat of the summer 3-4
hours without any shade is plenty so don't overdo it.
Disney's
Blizzard Beach Water Park is a highly unusual ski
resort where the snow has melted and turned the place
into a mecca for water rides and slides - look out for
the one and only 'Summit Plummet' and hang onto that swimsuit.
Disney's
Typhoon Lagoon Water Park is home to the biggest surf
wave ever to hit Florida and is a tropical paradise full
of slick flumes and giant slides like the 'Humunga Kowabunga'.
Makes sure you take time to snorkel 'Sharks Reef'.
|
| |
|
| |
Disney
Quest
|
|
|
Disney
Quest is an Indoor Interactive Theme Park, combining cutting-edge
entertainment technologies such as virtual reality and
3-D with Disney stories and characters to create a one
of a kind experience. Climb into a real river raft, ride
the rapids and avoid hungry dinosaurs in a Virtual Jungle
Cruise. Design your own roller coaster and then ride it
on Cyberspace Mountain. Explore five floor of virtual
fun with over 250 attractions, rides and games.
|
| |
|
| |
Universal
Studios
|
|
|
Park
number one is where Hollywood, movies and television come
alive in numerous excellent rides, shows and attractions.
Theme Park Insider.com has voted The Simpsons Ride as
the Best New Theme Park Attraction worldwide
for 2008! The
Simpsons are visiting Krustyland! You are there right
alongside Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie as you enter
through the carnival-like midway. Once you board your
vehicle youre in for one surprise after another
as you embark on a wild, over-the-top ride through the
park, flying, floating, and more or less crashing your
way through Krustylands kiddie attractions, stunt
shows, and thrill rides. Then plunge into total darkness
on the Revenge of the Mummy ride as you face fireballs,
scarab beetles, and an army of warrior mummies on a psychological
thrill ride totally unlike anything that's come along
in the past 3,000 years! If you love roller coasters,
you are in for a truly unique experience that you won't
find anywhere else. Get ready to scream! Jaws
is always good value as is the revamped ET. Terminator
2: 3-D is definitely worth the wait. 'Twister' will definitely
put the wind up you and if you're a sucker for 'Lassie'
head over to Animal Planet Live. Men in Black Alien Attack
- how it ends depends on the amount of aliens you happen
to ZAP! It's a very full day and lots of fun.
|
| |
|
| |
Islands
Of Adventure
|
|
|
Park
number two is an all new theme park definitely designed
for the 21st Century. You'll experience some of the world's
most advanced ride and show technology on five exciting
islands. Seuss Landing is where you'll find Cat In The
Hat, hurtle around the Last Continent on 'Dueling Dragons'
and a monster of a water ride in Jurassic Park. Toon Lagoon
is full of high spirited cartoon fun and Marvel Super
Hero Island is where you'll find Spider-Man (the best
ride of it's kind in the world) and the Incredible Hulk
Coaster with it's cheek chattering inverted turns and
loops.
|
| |
|
| |
City
Walk
|
|
|
This
is Universal's night time entertainment complex where
you might grab a top notch dinner at Emerils, a cocktail
at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville or dance the night away
at The Groove. There's also a 20 cinema complex with stadium
seating that serves wine and beer - who cares if the film's
not great! Look out for top name acts at Hard Rock Live
and check out the infectious beat of the Motown Café.
You have to walk through CityWalk to exit the two main
theme parks so maybe take a break from the crowds and
stop for dinner or a drink at the end of a very enjoyable
day.
|
| |
|
| |
Sea
World
|
|
|
This
Orlando favorite draws visitors back time and time again
year after year. Grab a show schedule upon arrival and
plan your assault on the park. Touch and feed dolphin,
pet some perfectly harmless sting rays or get face to
face with Shamu and family. If it a hot day a front row
seat at the whale show is a guaranteed way to cool off,
then dry your clothes in 60 seconds flat on the all new
Kraken, a roller coaster without a floor! Journey to Atlantis
is part water ride part roller coaster and Wild Artic
also features a somewhat bumpy ride en route to some very
cool encounters.
|
| |
|
| |
Aquatica
|
|
|
Aquatica
- a one-of-a-kind water park only SeaWorld could create
- blends up-close animal experiences, waters from serene
to extreme, high-speed thrills and wide, sandy beaches.
Amidst lush landscape inspired by the South Sea Islands,
Aquatica's signature attraction, Dolphin Plunge, sends riders
in clear tubes through a crystal-blue lagoon that is home
to black-and-white Commerson's dolphins. A colorful mix
of racing tunnels, raft rides and rivers offer crashing
surf and high-speed thrills, while pools, lagoons and lazy
rivers invite guests to enjoy a slower pace. Plenty of wide,
sand beaches, personal cabanas, refreshing lagoons and cool
shade from towering oaks and exotic trees create the ultimate
water park for guest comfort. |
| |
|
| |
Discovery
Cove
|
|
|
Discovery
Cove is an all-inclusive family adventure where guests enjoy
a one-of-a-kind opportunity to swim with dolphins, rays
and tropical fish and hand-feed exotic birds. Guests visiting
this lush oasis experience the most exciting animal encounters
the world has to offer in a breathtaking setting featuring
rocky lagoons, lush landscaping, white-sand beaches, coral
reefs, a tropical river, and resort-style pool complete
with waterfalls. Discovery Cove is an all-inclusive adventure
where the culinary delights are as endless as the views.
Each guest is also provided his/her own swim vest, towel,
and swim gear, including a snorkel, mask, fins and Panama
Jack eco-friendly sunscreen. Private lockers and dressing
areas provide Crabtree & Evelyn bath products. |
| |
|
| |
Wet'n
Wild
|
|
|
Orlando's
original Beach Within Reach is very conveniently located
on International Drive right in the heart of 'Tourist-ville'.
It's well known for some great multi-person rides where
the whole family or group can splash around together.
All ages are well catered for and tiny tots have a very
safe water playground where they can paddle and slide
in complete safety. 'Der Stuka' is quite a ride as is
'The Bomb Bay' - the names say it all! If you aren't into
a daredevil descent then head over to the aptly named
Lazy River the best place in town to get a tan. The Surge
is a great place for a family get together as is the Bubba
Tub and it's a lot more fun than riding on your own.
|
| |
|
| |
Busch
Gardens
|
|
|
Located
in Tampa and hours drive from Orlando, Busch Gardens is
a 335 acre African themed park featuring cleverly designed
animal attractions, thrilling rides and live entertainment.
Edge Of Africa is a lot of fun or take an off-road adventure
on Rhino Rally. The park is best known for an incredible
collection of roller coasters like Montu, Kumba and the
new dueling wooden roller coaster Gwazi. The Tanganika
Tidal Wave, is as the name suggests, a good way to cool
off but if that sounds a bit strenuous the park is owned
by Budweiser, so a free sample may be in order.
|
| |
|
| |
Kennedy
Space Center
|
|
|
The
home of America's space program, Kennedy Space Center
features a variety of exhibits, shows and tours which
are both interesting and informative. An hour away from
Orlando its very family friendly and whether you're of
the Apollo generation or a Shuttle space cadet there's
plenty to enjoy. Don't miss the stunning Imax movie or
the Spaceport USA bus tour which gets you out to the observation
gantry overlooking the biggest rockets you're ever likely
to see - if you're not careful this could be the most
fun you ever had in a science lesson!
|
| |
|
| |
Gatorland
|
|
|
The
Gator Capital Of The World is home to over 5000 of Florida's
original residents. The park is very concerned with the
conservation of the Florida Alligator so fun shows like
Jumparoo and Gator Wrestling have an educational side
to them as well. A lot of the activity centers around
a beautiful breeding marsh, which is also a haven for
hundreds of birds-any amateur ornithologists will have
a great time. Jungle Crocs Of The World features some
more fearsome imports and feeding time is not to be missed!
Gatorland is a reasonably priced and entertaining half
day attraction that kids particularly will enjoy.
|
| |
|
| |
Daytona
Beach
|
|
|
For
something completely different, the world famous Daytona
Beach is definitely worth the drive - literally! While
surf may be a little rough, you can actually enjoy this
beach from the comfort of your car, since it's one of
the few beaches in the world on which you can drive and
park. Take I-4 east and drive for about 60 miles. Daytona
is approximately 1 ½ hours drive from Orlando.
|
| |
|
| |
Cocoa
Beach
|
|
|
Located
on Florida's Space Coast, (named after the Kennedy Space
Center). You'll find lots of amenities and a seemingly
endless stretch of sand. Cocoa Beach is approximately
1 hour drive from Orlando. Head east on Bee Line Expressway
(Hwy 528).
|
| |
|
| |
New
Smyrna Beach
|
|
|
One
of Orlando's closet beaches, New Smyrna features a historic
district, plus shops, marinas and restaurant. New Smyrna
Beach is about one hour from Orlando.
|
| |
|
| |
St.
Petersburg & Clearwater
|
|
|
Florida's
west coast beaches are where you want to be! Close to
everything, yet miles away. A beautiful peninsula located
on Florida's West coast, the area is bordered by the Gulf
of Mexico to the west and by Tampa Bay to the east. There
is 35 miles of white-sand beaches on some 20 barrier islands.
Located just 30 minutes to Busch Gardens in Tampa and
90 minutes to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.
|